Global Tax 50 2017

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International Tax Review’s Global Tax 50 provides a rundown of the most influential individuals, organisations, geopolitical events, and trends in the tax world. Now in its seventh year, Anjana Haines introduces the Global Tax 50 2017.

There was fierce competition this year for the number one
spot on the Global Tax 50, but after two years EU Competition
Commissioner Margarethe Vestager has been knocked off the top
spot and replaced by the 'Big Six' tasked with making US tax
reform happen.

Many are awaiting the enactment of the US tax reform
proposals, which will have a worldwide impact, and the
so-called 'Big Six' policymakers have had the biggest influence
on the plans so far and will continue to steer the debate as it
makes its way through Congress.

The Big Six is composed of Secretary of the Treasury Steven
Mnuchin, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Finance Committee Chair
Orrin Hatch, Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan,
and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Kevin Brady.

Trump had made US tax reform an integral part of his
presidency election campaign and its success is crucial to his
credibility and the reputation of the Republican Party
– particularly after the Republicans were defeated on
the healthcare bill.

The significance of the work undertaken by his sextet of
policymakers, and the long-term impact of their plans, means
International Tax Review has awarded them the top spot
in this year's Global Tax 50.

In 2016, the Global Tax 50 was topped by Vestager, who has
dropped in her ranking this year, but continues to make
multinationals quake in their boots.

As in previous editions, politicians and policymakers make
up a large portion of the list, though it also recognises big
changes in the tax landscape and the influence of certain
professions, geopolitical events and emerging trends that are
steering the tax debate.

We welcome comments on our Global Tax 50. Please share your
thoughts and reactions. Do you agree with our entries? Who do
you think should make up next year's list and why?

Be sure to check out our LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
platforms to take part in these live discussions using the
hashtag #GlobalTax50.

The Top 10 ranked in order of influence

Group of top policymakers in the Trump administration
leading tax reform

US tax reform won’t happen – or will
it? Many are awaiting the enactment of the US tax reform
proposals, which will have a worldwide impact, and the
so-called 'Big Six’ policymakers have had the
biggest influence on the plans so far and will continue to
steer the debate as it makes its way through Congress.

Geopolitical event that has created unprecedented tax
uncertainty

Journalism’s effect on tax policy

The phrase 'Paradise Papers’ evokes images of
tropical offshore islands with palm trees and a P.O. address
for multinationals and high-net-worth individuals. The list
of celebrities involved in one way or another is almost
endless. Shakira, Madonna, Keira Knightly, the Queen, Prince
Charles, the estate of the late Michael Hutchens, Justin
Timberlake, and Amitabh Bachchan. We picture Lewis Hamilton
in a private jet.

European Commissioner

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who joins
the ranks of the Global Tax 50 for the fifth year in a row
and took top spot in last year’s ranking, has
had a quieter 12 months in 2017 compared to previous years.
But that’s not to say multinationals
aren’t still trembling with fear at the thought
of being faced with state aid allegations from the determined
commissioner.

Finance Minister

Arun Jaitley has achieved a tax goal that many thought
would never happen. On July 1 2017, India’s
indirect tax system was revolutionised with the introduction
of a new goods and services tax (GST) regime.